The race for Springfield’s school board is getting into uncharted financial territory.
The first wave of campaign finance reports are online for the candidates vying for two open seats on the Springfield Public Schools board. Candidate and former SPS administrator Judy Brunner’s first campaign contribution report shows she has received $43,681 so far. Brunner has contributed about $3,250 to her own campaign in in-kind donations. The bulk of her contributions come from a total of 164 donors.
That’s more in funding than either Kelly Byrne or Steve Makoski reported in their 2022 40-day before-election reports, and nearly as much as either of last year’s financial frontrunners and eventual election-winners went on to report during their entire campaigns. By this time in the campaign season last year, Byrne had raised $34,705 and Makoski had raised $31,703.
Brunner is outpacing the other three school board candidates — Shurita Thomas-Tate, who is seeking re-election, and candidates Landon McCarter and Chad Rollins. All filed reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission by the Feb. 23 deadline ahead of the April 4 election. Thomas-Tate and McCarter have each received nearly $22,000 in contributions. McCarter, a business owner and entrepreneur, has raised $21,935 so far, according to his Feb. 23 report. Thomas-Tate, a Missouri State University professor, has raised $21,921. Rollins has so far raised $1,275.
The public school board race is nonpartisan, but SPS board elections have become increasingly political in recent years. In 2022, the two winning candidates — Byrne and Makoski — ran expensive campaigns.
Who donated to Judy Brunner?
Brunner, a former Springfield Public Schools principal and administrator, started a business with former SPS director of security Dennis Lewis in 1999 centered around developing and sharing best practices for addressing school safety and bullying. Their business, Edu-Safe, contributed to the Brunner campaign, and it wasn't alone. For more on Brunner's background and beliefs, check out the story Who is Judy Brunner?
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Jeffrey Hutchens — $5,000
- Jack Stack — $4,500
- Judy Brunner — $3,250
- Twibell Pierson Criminal Law — $2,500
- Tyler Drenon — $2,028
- Melissa Haddow — $1,000
- Rodney Loomer — $1,000
- EduSafe LLC — $1,000
- Missouri NEA — $1,000
- Gail Smart — $1,000
- Raylene Appleby — $1,500
- Sally Baird — $1,000
- Matthew Brunner — $891
- Tiffany Brunner — $750
- Kenton Childs — $520
- Charlie O'Reilly — $520
Who donated to Landon McCarter?
McCarter, 38, is the co-founder of Secure Agent Marketing. For more about McCarter's background, beliefs and community connections, check out the story Who is Landon McCarter?
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Landon McCarter (donating to his own campaign) — $3,030
- Linda Fowler — $2,500
- Richard Hughlett — $2,500
- Tom Fowler — $2,000
- Todd Wilson — $1,250
- Robert Wilson — $1,250
- Swayne Loftis — $1,000
- SWMO Forward PAC — $1,000
- Loren Cook II — $1,000
- Jim Hutcheson — $750
Who donated to Shurita Thomas-Tate?
An associate professor in MSU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Thomas-Tate is the only school board candidate seeking re-election in 2023. To learn more about Thomas-Tate, check out the story Who is Shurita Thomas-Tate?
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Shelby Hahn — $5,000
- John Oke-Thomas — $2,500
- Rob and Sally Baird — $1,039
- Dana Ford — $1,037
- Charlie O'Reilly — $778
- Natalie Cobb — $519
- Jennifer Baker — $500
- Kendra and Jr. Chappel — $500
Who donated to Chad Rollins?
Athlete and licensed pharmacist Chad Rollins, 46, is well-known as a competitor on “American Ninja Warrior,” an NBC reality show in which athletes compete on obstacle courses. For more info on Rollins, check out the story Who is Chad Rollins?
Campaign donations of more than $500, in order of amount received:
- Swayne Loftis — $1,000
Brittany Meiling contributed to this report.
